Dark Chocolate Assortment

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Dark Chocolate Assortment scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Fats (Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Sugar Alcohols (Sorbitol): Modified sweeteners common in diet UPF products.
• Processed Fruit Products (Unsweetened Chocolate (Processed With Alkali), Unsweetened Chocolate, Breakfast Cocoa): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.

Within Chocolate, this product is more processed than about 67% of the 9,618 products we've analyzed.

Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.

What These Ingredients Tell Us

We group Dark Chocolate Assortment's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

EmulsifiersUPF marker

In this product: Soy Lecithin.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Natural FlavorsUPF marker

In this product: Natural Flavor, Coffee.

Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Bittersweet Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate (Processed With Alkali), Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Butteroil, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Natural Flavor, Milk), Sugar, Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Unsweetened Chocolate, Skim Milk, Milk, Butteroil, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Natural Flavor), Invert Sugar, and 2 more.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Palm Oil, Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel, Palm Oil, Soy Lecithin), Artificial Color (Soybean Oil, Fd&C Red 40 Aluminum Lake, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier)).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Baking Soda.

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Tocopherols.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.